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Star India Network continues to rule the airwaves
New Delhi: Hindi General Entertainment Channel STAR Plus continues to reign Television rating week after week, riding high on the popularity of its primetime shows. According to Broadcasting Audience Research Council (BARC)’s latest data for week 25, STAR Plus has toppled Sun TV to secure its place as the most viewed channel across the country for the second consecutive week.
According to the TV rating agency, STAR Plus recorded the Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 2961.93 in the week starting from 19 June to 25 June, with Sun TV trailing at AMA of 2689.83. AMA is indicative of the viewership of a channel and reflects the number of individuals of a target audience who viewed an ‘Event’ averaged across minutes.
Sun TV is followed by STAR Maa, SONY SAB, STAR Utsav, Colors, Zee Telugu, Colors Rishtey, Sony Pal, and STAR Vijay in the BARC’s list of top ten channels across the country during week 25 (Data: All India 2+). Four Star India network channels figured in the top ten channel list.
STAR Plus has dethroned Sun TV as the most viewed channel in the megacities. According to the data, Sun TV topped the viewership chart across megacities during week 23 and week 24, until it was toppled by STAR Plus in week 25 with an AMU of 475.68, with Sun TV at 470.59 (Data: Mega-Cities 2+)
STAR Plus’ show Anupamaa helmed by actors Rupali Ganguly and Sudhanshu Pandey has remained an audience favourite ever since it was launched, along with Imlie.
BARC has recently updated the way it doles out data in the public domain. Apart from the national viewership ratings, now it also provides weekly viewership data based on states and union territories.
As the second wave of the pandemic recedes, Star India Network has managed to keep its viewers engaged, across most geographies, except South India, where Sun TV seems to be the dominant channel. The data for the last three weeks shows Sun TV remains on top in South India (Data: South 2+), as well as in Tamil Nadu/Pondicherry. In Karnataka, Zee Kannada rules the viewership charts, while Zee Sarthak leads in Odisha.
However, elsewhere Star Network/Asianet channels seem to be amongst the most-watched channels. This includes Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam/Northeast, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra/Goa, Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, Punjab/Chandigarh where Star Network channels continue to strike a chord with the viewers.
In West Bengal, STAR Jalsha continues to emerge at the top of the table in June, followed by Zee Bangla, with Jalsha movies trailing far behind. (Data: West Bengal 2+).
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
